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tani's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this one up and put it back down a couple times before finally trying it. I liked the idea of the book and I enjoy the occasional urban fantasy foray, but the mention of Creeps, the main villainous creature of this book, enjoying the blood of virgins most of all in the first few pages really made me nervous. Unjustly, it turns out. Although that is a thing, it's not handled the way that I had feared it might be. Also, starting the book with Elly, a completely different character than Val, who's mentioned as the main character in all the descriptions, threw me. Oh, great, I thought. Another sassy teenager with more sexuality than sense. Yup, wrong again. Having read the book, I think Elly might be my favorite character now. Just goes to show you that jumping to conclusions is bad.
Actually, there was a lot to like in this book. There's an ensemble cast, which I always enjoy. There are vampires, but there are also the Creeps that I mentioned above, and a pair of succubi, so it's not all-vamps-all-the-time. The vampires fall into some of the normal stereotypes - the commanding presence, the lack of human ethics, the sucking of blood - but the main vampire that we see, Val, is actually a really decent person. There was action, but there was also working together, figuring things out, having emotional moments.
The characters each have a past, and some of that is explored. You get a decent introduction to the world, but you also get the sense that there's a lot more to learn. There is no romance in this book, but there are unrequited feelings that you know are going to have to be addressed at some point. And there's a nice little teaser for the next book in the series that is just enough to make you want to keep going.
In short, this has all the makings of a really solid urban fantasy series. I'm looking forward to reading more!
Actually, there was a lot to like in this book. There's an ensemble cast, which I always enjoy. There are vampires, but there are also the Creeps that I mentioned above, and a pair of succubi, so it's not all-vamps-all-the-time. The vampires fall into some of the normal stereotypes - the commanding presence, the lack of human ethics, the sucking of blood - but the main vampire that we see, Val, is actually a really decent person. There was action, but there was also working together, figuring things out, having emotional moments.
The characters each have a past, and some of that is explored. You get a decent introduction to the world, but you also get the sense that there's a lot more to learn. There is no romance in this book, but there are unrequited feelings that you know are going to have to be addressed at some point. And there's a nice little teaser for the next book in the series that is just enough to make you want to keep going.
In short, this has all the makings of a really solid urban fantasy series. I'm looking forward to reading more!
amibunk's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
These days whenever I read a book, especially an urban fantasy novel, and there are no love triangles, I want to clap my hands and do a little dance.
Night Owls made me dance. No triangles, no romantic entanglements, just a solid plot with a decent storyline and believable characters. Additionally, it has vampires who work in bookstores which makes me incredibly happy down in my literary soul.
While this novel wasn't the most polished thing I've read lately it seemed to have a little something extra that the run of the mill supernatural books have been lacking. I can't quite put my finger on what that something is, but I can say that I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
2023 update
I had forgotten much of this book in the past 8 years but remember enjoying it. Rereading it was even more enjoyable than the first read- interesting characters, vampire politics, and fast paced action. I truly wish the author had written more than two books in this series.
These days whenever I read a book, especially an urban fantasy novel, and there are no love triangles, I want to clap my hands and do a little dance.
Night Owls made me dance. No triangles, no romantic entanglements, just a solid plot with a decent storyline and believable characters. Additionally, it has vampires who work in bookstores which makes me incredibly happy down in my literary soul.
While this novel wasn't the most polished thing I've read lately it seemed to have a little something extra that the run of the mill supernatural books have been lacking. I can't quite put my finger on what that something is, but I can say that I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
2023 update
I had forgotten much of this book in the past 8 years but remember enjoying it. Rereading it was even more enjoyable than the first read- interesting characters, vampire politics, and fast paced action. I truly wish the author had written more than two books in this series.
eevie_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This was an enjoyable read! I liked the characters and it made me smile at times. It wasn't impactful enough and didn't get me attached enough to continue the series, but it was good for what it was and was pretty much what I wanted to get out of it when I bought it.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this one. The jacket image and plot overview are somewhat misleading (this is more of justice league than a dynamic duo) but that didn't distract from my overall enjoyment of the novel. I will definitely read more of this series.
robynrussell's review against another edition
3.0
Funny but definitely not the best writing of all time.
texaswolfman's review against another edition
5.0
Great start to a new urban fantasy series. Love the characterization and action. Looking forward to the next one.
chllybrd's review against another edition
I snagged a copy of NIGHT OWLS off of Netgally but after reading half of it I just couldn't get into the story or the characters so I am filing it as did not finish.
shai3d's review against another edition
3.0
It was a good read but there really wasn't that spark that would raise it above the pack.
renpuspita's review
3.0
3 stars
The first genre I love is fantasy. No matter what how many books I read, I still love fantasy. Even I still a little bit wary when it comes to Urban Fantasy. Since the second genre I love is romance, and Urban Fantasy usually just have HFN (Happy For Now), less don't have romance. Surprisely, last year prove that I don't mind with the lack of romance. So when there's new urban fantasy with catchy cover by a debut author called Night Owls, I snatched a copy on the NetGalley. I admit the blurb also help, for the idea of the vampire as a bookseller/librarian is interesting.
Night Owl is a very traditional urban fantasy, but instead have 1st POV like much UF we know today, it have 3rd POV and told from multiple POV. That's the problem number one. The story told from Valerie McTeague (aka Val), the vampire that own the bookstore Night Owls, her Reinfield Charles (aka Chaz) and Elly Garrett as a hunter who hunt Creeps, the enemy of this book. First I don't have any idea what is Creeps. I think it something paranormal creature going awry and zombielike (or ghoul-like). And then when Val called it Jackal, I realize that it was like werewolf, but they eat human flesh, and they love when their prey were virgin.
Night Owls have 7 important character, Val, Chaz, Elly, Elly's foster brother, Cavale, Val's employer that pursue by Creeps, Justin and two lesbian succubi called Sunny and Lia. All must cooperate to prevent the Creeps for harm Justin, because Justin somehow have a knowledge from the book that had been snatched by Elly and cost her teacher's life, Father Value. The story first told from Elly's POV, then Val's, then Chaz's and then all intertwined in the middle of the story. This is for me, is problem number two, too much character but not enough world building. The world is too simple and somehow lack of explanation. So many characters and so many event happen,make me confused and hard to focus to the story. Also lack of emotion make me can't attached to the characters.
It's not that Night Owls bad, but I will said it's not stellar either. I see it have "first book in series" syndrome and I can see that this book have potential. I think if Night Owls focus just in one character, like Val or Elly, it will make the story more interesting and reader can connect with the the characters. The myth about vampire (like how the vampire made) and the Jackal is interesting and I think can be explored more. I want to give this 3,5 stars, but the ending somehows make no sense whatsoever. I don't know if I can called it cliffhanger, just not connected with the main story.
I think if you want to read a traditional urban fantasy with things that go bump in the night, consider to read Night Owls. If you love romance, maybe you will disappointed to see the lack of romance, even there's just a little hint of romance between some characters, but I'm not sure if it will be explored more.
Thanks to Random Publishing and NetGalley for provide the copy
The first genre I love is fantasy. No matter what how many books I read, I still love fantasy. Even I still a little bit wary when it comes to Urban Fantasy. Since the second genre I love is romance, and Urban Fantasy usually just have HFN (Happy For Now), less don't have romance. Surprisely, last year prove that I don't mind with the lack of romance. So when there's new urban fantasy with catchy cover by a debut author called Night Owls, I snatched a copy on the NetGalley. I admit the blurb also help, for the idea of the vampire as a bookseller/librarian is interesting.
Night Owl is a very traditional urban fantasy, but instead have 1st POV like much UF we know today, it have 3rd POV and told from multiple POV. That's the problem number one. The story told from Valerie McTeague (aka Val), the vampire that own the bookstore Night Owls, her Reinfield Charles (aka Chaz) and Elly Garrett as a hunter who hunt Creeps, the enemy of this book. First I don't have any idea what is Creeps. I think it something paranormal creature going awry and zombielike (or ghoul-like). And then when Val called it Jackal, I realize that it was like werewolf, but they eat human flesh, and they love when their prey were virgin.
Night Owls have 7 important character, Val, Chaz, Elly, Elly's foster brother, Cavale, Val's employer that pursue by Creeps, Justin and two lesbian succubi called Sunny and Lia. All must cooperate to prevent the Creeps for harm Justin, because Justin somehow have a knowledge from the book that had been snatched by Elly and cost her teacher's life, Father Value. The story first told from Elly's POV, then Val's, then Chaz's and then all intertwined in the middle of the story. This is for me, is problem number two, too much character but not enough world building. The world is too simple and somehow lack of explanation. So many characters and so many event happen,make me confused and hard to focus to the story. Also lack of emotion make me can't attached to the characters.
It's not that Night Owls bad, but I will said it's not stellar either. I see it have "first book in series" syndrome and I can see that this book have potential. I think if Night Owls focus just in one character, like Val or Elly, it will make the story more interesting and reader can connect with the the characters. The myth about vampire (like how the vampire made) and the Jackal is interesting and I think can be explored more. I want to give this 3,5 stars, but the ending somehows make no sense whatsoever. I don't know if I can called it cliffhanger, just not connected with the main story.
I think if you want to read a traditional urban fantasy with things that go bump in the night, consider to read Night Owls. If you love romance, maybe you will disappointed to see the lack of romance, even there's just a little hint of romance between some characters, but I'm not sure if it will be explored more.
Thanks to Random Publishing and NetGalley for provide the copy
tynga's review against another edition
3.0
The life of seven unlikely people will change forever the day Father Value, Jackal (aka Creeps) hunter, dies on a mission. He died to protect a mystical book and his partner, Elly, will risk her life - and the one of many others- trying to keep it out of Creeps' hands. Will she succeed or will his death be in vain?
I dove into Night Owls hoping for a good old urban fantasy, and while the genre is accurate, I'm afraid to say I wasn't impressed. This review will be very hard for me to write because I usually mention the things I liked and things I disliked about the book, but in this case, I didn't like nor dislike the novel, it kind of left me unaffected. While this isn't a bad novel, I just didn't feel passionate, or even involved in any of the proceedings. I didn't even care who lived or died, which is sad.
I think one of the main reason I didn't feel connected is the lack of a clear main characters. Reading the synopsis now I realize Valerie and Elly were suppose to be the main characters, but it was far from clear. Valerie (a vampire), Chaz (her human Renfield), Elly (Creeps Hunter) & Cavale (former Creeps Hunter) share, it seemed to me, equal parts of the main spotlight. On top of this, Justin (human) and Sunny & Lia (succubi) bring up the rear with secondary roles. All of these characters sharing the scene, fighting for our attention, just made it hard for me to connect with any of them in particular and it didn't help with my lack of caring. Not only are they many, none of them are particularly amazing.
The plot was correct if not particularly engrossing. We followed a rather linear line of action, without many surprises, but the fighting scenes were well delivered. Unfortunately, the solution to their problem was so simple in the end, it was ridiculous. Miss Roy should've thought harder to find something complex enough to justify the trouble they all went through.
I think the best aspect of this novel was the lore because it featured a type of characters I hadn't encountered before: Jackals/Creeps. They are some kind of cannibal (because they eat human flesh) shape shifters who smell like rotten flesh. They have abilities and weaknesses similar to your traditional vampires (sunlight, silver, etc), but they kind of look like wolves when turning and some of them have special skills.
All that being said, I did finish reading this novel without dragging my feet too much, so it wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't stir any passion from me whatsoever, so I didn't like it either. As far as I know, this was Lauren's first book and I think she has potential, so even though I won't keep reading this series, I won't disregard anything she writes in the future either. I would suggest you read an excerpt (I couldn't find one for you sorry!) before you decide to buy the book, and see if you think you might like it.
I dove into Night Owls hoping for a good old urban fantasy, and while the genre is accurate, I'm afraid to say I wasn't impressed. This review will be very hard for me to write because I usually mention the things I liked and things I disliked about the book, but in this case, I didn't like nor dislike the novel, it kind of left me unaffected. While this isn't a bad novel, I just didn't feel passionate, or even involved in any of the proceedings. I didn't even care who lived or died, which is sad.
I think one of the main reason I didn't feel connected is the lack of a clear main characters. Reading the synopsis now I realize Valerie and Elly were suppose to be the main characters, but it was far from clear. Valerie (a vampire), Chaz (her human Renfield), Elly (Creeps Hunter) & Cavale (former Creeps Hunter) share, it seemed to me, equal parts of the main spotlight. On top of this, Justin (human) and Sunny & Lia (succubi) bring up the rear with secondary roles. All of these characters sharing the scene, fighting for our attention, just made it hard for me to connect with any of them in particular and it didn't help with my lack of caring. Not only are they many, none of them are particularly amazing.
The plot was correct if not particularly engrossing. We followed a rather linear line of action, without many surprises, but the fighting scenes were well delivered. Unfortunately, the solution to their problem was so simple in the end, it was ridiculous. Miss Roy should've thought harder to find something complex enough to justify the trouble they all went through.
I think the best aspect of this novel was the lore because it featured a type of characters I hadn't encountered before: Jackals/Creeps. They are some kind of cannibal (because they eat human flesh) shape shifters who smell like rotten flesh. They have abilities and weaknesses similar to your traditional vampires (sunlight, silver, etc), but they kind of look like wolves when turning and some of them have special skills.
All that being said, I did finish reading this novel without dragging my feet too much, so it wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't stir any passion from me whatsoever, so I didn't like it either. As far as I know, this was Lauren's first book and I think she has potential, so even though I won't keep reading this series, I won't disregard anything she writes in the future either. I would suggest you read an excerpt (I couldn't find one for you sorry!) before you decide to buy the book, and see if you think you might like it.